Vocation Stories: Justin Ong, Institute of Christ the Sovereign King

Abbé Justin Ong, a 2007 chemical engineering Michigan Tech graduate, is in his sixth year of seminary formation with the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest at their International Seminary in Gricigliano, Italy. In July, Justin was ordained as a deacon. 

“During our seven years of formation, we are taught in the spirit of St. Francis de Sales (one of the Institute's patron saints) and prepared to be, God-willing, good and faithful priests who are one day able to preach the truth of Christ and His Church and to celebrate the Sacraments daily, especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,” Ong said in a blog post. “The liturgical life of the Church is the center of our daily lives throughout our formation here at the seminary.”

Rhen Hoehn, development director at St. Al’s, served in music ministry with Justin while they were students at Tech. Justin served as a piano player for one of the choirs. “It was a great pleasure to sing with him,” Rhen says. “He brought a joy and enthusiasm to the music ministry that made it a lot of fun and inspired the group to get together and practice more often to improve our choir.”